So, it happened. I got my first comment on the article that went something like this: 

Come on man!! Why would anyone let themselves 
go like this, and claim to be proud to be 
FAT???????????????????????????????????????

And here is my response, which I am sharing, because I think it’s important to say:

Because fat is nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a body type. I’ve been fat for a long time, from back when I was a kid. It doesn’t mean I’m lazy or that I “let myself go.” I still do all the things that skinny geeks do: cosplay, conventions, video games, anime, hanging out with friends, ect. Sorry I’m not the fat lump who sits on the couch and is depressed and beating themselves up, but realistically, most of us aren’t.

I can be proud because of what I’ve done in my life. I graduated college, I’ve published a book, I have two more on the way, I’ve written for a lot of geeky websites about the things I love, and I’ve been in a relationship for 12 years. I have a house, a car, and am writing on a daily basis, which is what I studied in college.

The things I’m proud of have nothing to do with my size, I didn’t accomplish these things because I’m fat nor did I treat my size like a handicap to stop me from doing the things I want. THAT’S what I’m proud of. Fat does not equal incapable.

***

I’m really tired of this assumption that fat people are just lazy folks who don’t do anything, because that is so far from the truth that it’s laughable. Lazy people come in a variety of sizes, lazy is not something exclusive to fat people. Fat people can be active, hell, they ARE active. Fat doesn’t mean someone just gave up and decided to be a lump that eats all the time and does nothing else, despite what the weight loss commercials will tell you (oh whoa is me I’m so sad and fat that I can’t even get up and play with my kids but with diet pill plus now only did I lose weight but I went to the hair salon and went shopping for new clothes). Despite what the media will tell you, I:

1. Do not eat all the time
2. Am not single and miserable
3. Am not friendless
4. Do not have fat, miserable friends
5. Do not have a hatred/jealousy towards skinny people
6. Do not try to fool myself into fitting into a size 12 when I’m a size 26/28
7. Am not stuck wearing hideous clothes
8. Am not incapable of “being pretty”

Here is the truth about me:

1. I eat the same amount as any other person, I’m not gorging on an entire chicken or eating ice cream for dessert
2. I have been in a relationship for 12 years
3. I have a lot of friends who come in a variety of sizes, from fat like me to skinny as can be
4. I do not hate my skinny friends. I am not jealous of them. I love them, and to that extent
5. I do not think they are friends with me because they pitty my fat existence, they are not trying to change me and I wouldn’t even be cosplaying this much if it weren’t for them
6. I’m a big girl who wears big clothes. So what. There are places with clothes that fit us right (thank you Lane Bryant for existing) I’m not a big girl who tries to squeeze into something she can’t fit, if it’s not comfortable I ain’t wearin’ it. 
7. Despite be being in denial about my cuteness when people bring it up, that’s just me being blushy and flustered. Truth is, I’m pretty damn cute. 

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to purchase Pacific Rim and geek all over it when it arrives in the mail.